Multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder

ABSTRACT

A device that holds three writing, drafting or art instruments in elongated channels grouped closely together. Allowing the user to choose which instrument they will use by rotating the holder until the desired instrument is facing the working surface.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application serial No. 60/370,433; previously filed on Apr. 5, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to writing, drafting and art instruments, ergo; pens, pencils, crayons, blade knives, scoring tools, trimming blades and other hand held marking instruments.

[0004] 2. General Background and State of the Art

[0005] The instant invention relates to a holder that combines three writing, drafting and/or art instruments in a single usable unit.

[0006] Numerous writing implements have been provided in the prior art that are designed to combine the writing qualities of a pen and pencil together in one instrument. There are many examples of multiple element pens with pencils, in various combinations of colors of ink and lead. Some combined with special tools for writing on screens of electronic pocket organizers, a stylus. The pen and pencil industry has created these products to fill a need. People who in their daily activities require the use of different colors and types of writing instruments frequently are the primary users of such products.

[0007] It is the case that although there is a wide variety of multiple element writing instruments available, many people still choose to tape or rubber band pens and/or pencils together for ease of switching between instruments. Or because of the correct combinations of colors needed not being available in multiple element instruments. Inventions have addressed this issue, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,552 to Cimador; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,372 to Besthorne; are illustrative of such prior art. While these products may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purpose of the present invention as hereafter described.

INVENTION SUMMARY

[0008] A primary object of the present invention is to provide a holder with three elongate channels which each removably receives pen shaped objects; that combines three writing, drafting and art instruments into one convenient grip; that allows the user to quickly switch between instruments. Overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0009] Another object is to provide a holder with three elongate channels which each removably receives pen shaped objects; which is a connector member that joins the bodies of various makers writing, drafting and art instruments, so that most of the writing, drafting and art instruments available can be utilized by a person using the holder.

[0010] An additional object is to provide a holder with three elongate channels which each removably receives pen shaped objects, that is fabricated out of flexible plastic, or rubber or other semi-elastic material which allows the writing instruments to be removed from the holder easily, to change colors or medium.

[0011] A further object is to provide a holder for a combination of writing, drafting and art instruments, that is simple and easy to use.

[0012] A still further object is to provide a holder for a combination of writing, drafting and art instruments, that is economical in cost to manufacture.

[0013] The present invention provides a simple way for people that use different pens, pencils and art or drafting instruments, to combine the instruments of their choice in a convenient, comfortable holder, which allows the user to rotate the holder to switch between instrument.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The specific objects and advantages of the instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

[0015]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is an end view of a multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder with a writing instrument in the address position of one of the elongate channels of a multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder with multiple writing and/or drafting and/or art instruments placed in the elongate channels in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder with the outer body panels 5 as flat surfaces in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 6 is an end view of a multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder with the outer body panels as flat surfaces in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the following views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which illustrates a perspective view of a multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder 1, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Writing, drafting and art instruments 3 are well known and have many uses. Their greatest utility is marking a substrate material or in the case of specific drafting and art needs, instruments are used for other tasks including but not limited to trimming, cutting or scoring substrate material. It is often the case where more than one instrument is required or preferred to be used in performing work with said instruments. It is the intent of the multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder to provide those who use multiple writing and/or drafting and/or art instruments often, a device which allows multiples of said instruments to be removably inserted into a multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder, therefore making the switch from instrument to instrument an easier, quicker process.

[0022] In Consideration of the preferred embodiment, FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder 1, of which the body is a single elongate member constructed of plastic, rubber, or other suitable material having similar elastic, structural and functional characteristics, which can be manufactured using the processes of injection molding or extrusion, includes a body 1, having three elongate channels 2 shaped and sized adequately to removably receive insertable writing and/or drafting and/or art instruments 3.

[0023] With attention directed to FIG. 2, an end profile view of the body of a multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder 1, has two opposing surfaces 4 of each elongated opening running the length of each elongate channel 2, to facilitate insertion of writing and/or drafting and/or art instruments. The opening is of such size to allow insertion of the instruments between the two opposing surfaces 4 yet grip the instrument firmly and sufficiently to retain the instruments. When in use the hand or portions thereof may grip the contact surface 5, of the multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder of FIG. 1.

[0024] With attention directed to FIG. 3 a writing and/or drafting and/or art instrument 3 is inserted by holding the instrument in the address position shown then pressed into the elongated opening of the two opposing surfaces 4 into any elongate channel 2 of the multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder of FIG. 1.

[0025] With attention directed to FIG. 4 multiple writing and/or drafting, and/or art instruments 3 in usable close proximity to each other once inserted into the elongate channels 2 of the multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder of FIG. 1.

[0026] With attention directed to FIG. 5 a writing, drafting and art instrument holder 1 of FIG. 1, with flat contact surfaces 5.

[0027] With attention directed to FIG. 6, an end profile view of the body of a multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder 6 of the multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder 1 of FIG. 1, with flat contact surfaces 5.

[0028] Various changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included in the scope thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder wherein: a) An elongate body with three elongate channels spaced approximately 120° apart, running the full length of the body; Each channel of which has an elongate opening through which a writing, drafting and/or art instrument may be removably inserted. b) Each elongate opening of the three elongate channels has two opposing edge surfaces which provide substantial friction for the writing, drafting and art instruments to be removably retained in the holder while in use. c) There are three surfaces between the channels which may contact the users hand when in use. d) The three contact surfaces are curved.
 2. A multiple writing, drafting and art instrument holder of claim 1 wherein: a) The three contact surfaces are flat. 